Another person seen as highly influential was Dubois, as an early active political member of the NAACP all the way through the civil rights movement; he also often demonstrated a militant direct approach. He insisted on legal desegregation and was a key political representation at the time which gave him the access to legally demand equality. In particular, he was the “The legal arm of the NAACP led the campaign to end Jim Crow segregation altogether, but its first target would be inequality in education”. However Dubois failed to attract mass support for his movement and alienated those who supported Marcus Garvey’s movement which could be seen as early stages of black power. This meant he failed to influence black consciousnesswhich is where much of Malcolm X’s successes rooted from. He was also unsuccessful in gaining economic power for black people which a former critic of Dubois Booker. T. Washington demanded.It was symbolic as it was the early stages of rebellion against racism and inequality. However Malcolm X could be seen as having a bigger impact because he “championed the rights of African Americans and urgedthem to develop racial unity”, which was what Dubois lacked as well as lack of support on economic advancement of black people.
To some extent Marcus Garvey as a pan-Africanist was of great significance because of his determination to raise black consciousness and promote unity amongst the black community. For example“The main goal of this organization was to institute a separate-but-equal collegiate educational system for Black Jamaicans”. Although his main goal was to raise black consciousness he believed “to develop a Black consciousness so that Black people could reach political, economic and cultural independence”. Garvey’s ideologycould be seen to have been revitalised byMalcolm and be made into a movement which would be more acceptable in society. However there was much criticism of Garvey because he alienated many groups of people for example “The US government considered him subversive because of his radicalism”. This would result in damaging his image in front of the international media and alienating a majority of the civil rights supporters. Furthermore despite both believing in a separatist society Malcolmconsiderednegations in order to have laws implemented for legal desegregation, where as Garvey had a firm, unforgiving approach with an unpractical solution, thus allowing Malcolm to have a bigger impact than Garvey.
President Roosevelt could be seen as the key individual in the advancement of the civil rights movement because of the financial and political support he gave to black people; “President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal raised the expectations of black working people”. He also provided “Emergency economic reforms, such as unemployment insurance, welfare for dependent mothers and children, and the minimum wage”. In the short term this benefited many black people but could be argued this failed to contribute to the civil rights movement in the long term because he“did little to advance the cause of civil rights”. In addition the financial aid failed to reach many in the south where racism was more common and extreme, so in this regard his policy was not far reaching. Also “his domestic record on race and civil rights was a mixed bag. He believed that African Americans as a race were inferior to whites”. In comparison to Malcolm X President Roosevelt didn’t have as much impactbecauseMalcolm argued significantly more about the economic philosophy of Black Nationalism saying it was 'pure and simple. It only means that we should control the economy of our community” so that in the long term the effects would be lasting unlike the new deal. Furthermore the new deal was passed as a result of the Wall Street crash in 1929, so for Roosevelt to be credited for improve living standards and being the key individual maybe an overstatement because his policy was not intended to aid black people and it was not far reaching.
To a large extent Martin Luther King could be seen as the key individual because of his contribution to the civil rights movement. He fulfilled many key areas of the civil rights movement such as legal desegregation, change in social attitudes, a political representation, organisation of the civil rights movement and national awareness. His significance could be summed up well by saying“More than forty years after his death, America has seen progress in equality: educational opportunities have increased and workplaces and political leadership are more diverse.”King often emphasised “We've got to gain the ballot, and through that gain, political power.”He was at the forefront as a political icon for black people to deal with implementing laws regarding desegregation of the public sector. Malcolm also stressed the importance of politics however he concentrated on implementing “Black identity shaped in politics culture”, which may have in the long term made political power more effective. Kinghowever failed to unite black people, mainly because of his outcry against the Vietnam War; he said“the need for a collective solution to the tragedy of Vietnam”,many black people thought this alienated President Johnson thus making it more difficult to pass legislations for legal desegregation. Furthermore there was criticism of King’s lack of personal contribution in the civil rights movement, for example it could be argued other individuals such as Roy Wilkinson participation was of more significance. It is said that “Roy Wilkins remained an insistent voice for progressive action, with a direct line to the White House.” Therefore much of King’s success could be argued was not credible to King himself but to all members of the NAACP.
After the assassination of Martin Luther King it is said Jesse Jackson kept the civil rights movement intact and a priority for the American government. “Jackson has made a major impact on the American social and political landscape.” Jackson was also an essential member of the economic advancement of the civil rights movement which was arguably a fundamental part of the success of the civil rights movement, for example, Martin Luther King “appointed him to organize Operation Breadbasket (the economic arm of SCLC) in Chicago.”Furthermore he stood as the first black presidential candidate which symbolised how much black people had advanced, it also gave hope for black people to become involved in the political processes which raised awareness of the potential black people have. However there was much criticism of Jesse Jackson, for example Jackson uses his influence and reputation primarily for his personal gain. So his personality could be said to be the focalfactor which lead to his failure in the 80’s and the factor which inevitably lead to his downfall. In contrast to Malcolm X,Jesse Jackson’s successes are less significant because the impact Malcolm X had was far more influential. He had influence on black power and substantial improvement in living standards in ghettos during the 60’s.
In conclusion Malcolm X was undoubtedly a key icon in the civil rights movement regardless of whether his input was accepted as positive; the fact that it was revolutionary appealed to those who rejected mainstream movements such as the NAACP. However, after analysis of other individuals and their contribution, Malcolm’s success may seemsecondary, for example in many aspects where Malcolm failed other individuals succeeded and although Malcolm did leave a political legacy other individuals such as Jesse Jackson’s run for presidency was well remembered. In addition, despite Malcolm’s attempts to change social attitudes Martin Luther King’s technique of preaching unity and forgiveness proved far more effective.However it isfundamental to take into consideration Malcolm’s split from the nation of Islam which influenced his change in attitudes. Globalisation of civil rights movement was one of Malcolm’s most successful achievements; by putting the struggle of black rights on an international scale he eased political and social strain black Americans faced. Furthermore Malcolm created organisations which still exist today and help bring equality in American society which arguably still does not exist in the 21st century; “organisation of African American unity, which is designed to fight all the negative political, economical and social conditions that exist in our neighbourhood today.”Overallhis ability to produce constructive solutions and sacrifices he made cannot be taken lightly, hence to some he is known as “a prince—our own black shining prince!—who didn’t hesitate to die, because he loved us so.”
Race Relations in the USA 1863-1980, third edition, page 157
Ford auditorium, Detroit page 104
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